Fiction def terms PAP English

Direct Characterization

occurs when the narrator explicitly tells the reader about a character's personality or traits (e.g., "She was very kind").

Indirect characterization

is more subtle, revealing a character's nature through their speech, actions, appearance, and how other characters react to them. 

POV

The perspective from which a story is told. 

• First person uses "I" and is told by a character within the story, offering access only to that character's thoughts and experiences.

• Third person omniscient uses "he," "she," and "they," and the narrator is "all-knowing," able to access the thoughts and feelings of all characters.

• Third person limited uses "he," "she," and "they," but the narrator's knowledge is limited to the thoughts and experiences of a single character. 

Setting

The time, place, and general environment where the story takes place, which helps readers visualize the world and can influence characters' actions and mood. 

Conflict

The struggle between two opposing forces that drives the plot. 

• Internal conflict is a character's struggle within their own mind, such as making a difficult decision or dealing with an emotion (Person vs. Self).

• External conflict involves a character struggling against an outside force, such as another character (Person vs. Person), society, or nature. 

Plot

The sequence of events and incidents that make up the story. A traditional plot often includes exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. 

Diction

The author's specific choice of words and vocabulary, which contributes to the overall style and tone of the writing. 

Style

The author's unique way of writing, which is created by their use of diction, tone, syntax, and other literary devices, forming their distinct voice. 

Mood

The emotional atmosphere of a literary work; how the reader feels while reading the text

Tone

The author's attitude toward their subject matter, audience, or a character.

Theme

The underlying main idea or message of a literary work.

Symbolism

The use of a tangible object or action to represent an abstract idea or quality beyond its literal meaning.

Irony

A contrast or discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens, or between what is said and what is meant. The types are:

• Verbal irony: When the intended meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning.

• Situational irony: When the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

• Dramatic irony: When the audience knows more about the situations, the causes of conflicts, and their resolutions before the leading character or actors are aware of them.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as"

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as"

Personification

Giving human qualities, feelings, thoughts, or attitudes to inanimate objects, animals, or ideas.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or humor.

Idiom

A phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of its constituent words (e.g., "spill the beans").

Foreshadowing

A hint or clue about what will happen later in the story, used to create suspense or anticipation.

Archetype

A universal symbol, character, or pattern that recurs in stories across different cultures and time periods, like "the hero" or "the wise old man".

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, event, or another literary work of historical or cultural significance

Ambiguity

The use of language where multiple meanings or interpretations are possible.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked merely for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed, to which the answer is already obvious or not expected to be given.